Pipeline padding machine

ABSTRACT

A padding machine for separating padding from residue and depositing the padding in a ditch. The padding machine may include a material collection assembly for collecting excavated material, an escalator assembly for lifting the excavated material, a separator for separating the padding from the residue, a conveyor assembly for conveying the padding to the ditch, a transport assembly for moving the padding machine and a wireless telemetry receiver for controlling functions of the padding machine. The separator may include a screen belt and at least one drive chain attached to the screen belt.

BACKGROUND

The present invention relates generally to equipment utilized in conjunction with pipeline operations and, in an embodiment described herein, more particularly provides a pipeline padding machine.

In constructing pipelines, a ditch is typically dug by excavating material from the ground, and then a pipe (including many interconnected pipe sections) is positioned in the ditch. The excavated material can include objects (such as large rocks, sharp objects, etc.) which could damage the pipe or otherwise hinder the pipeline operation (such as by creating large voids in the ditch, etc.).

Therefore, instead of merely covering the pipe by pushing the excavated material back into the ditch, only a portion of the excavated material is used around the pipe in the ditch. This portion of the excavated material is the relatively fine portion and is known to those skilled in the art as “padding” since it forms a protective layer surrounding the pipe. The remainder of the excavated material can be deposited in the ditch above the padding if desired.

Several machines have been developed to separate the padding from the remainder of the excavated material and place the padding in the ditch about the pipe. However, these prior padding machines typically have one or more shortcomings. For example, these padding machines may not adequately provide for efficient and convenient viewing and control of the machine on either side of a ditch by an operator, or for optimum collection and transport of the excavated material, etc.

Therefore, it may be seen that improvements are needed in the art of pipeline padding machines. It is among the objects of the present invention to provide such improvements.

SUMMARY

In carrying out the principles of the present invention, a pipeline padding machine is provided which solves at least one problem in the art. One example is described below in which the padding machine is designed to permit convenient control of the machine operations by a single operator, no matter on which side of a ditch the machine is positioned. Another example is described below in which the padding machine is designed to efficiently collect and process excavated material.

In one aspect of the invention, a padding machine is provided for separating padding from residue and depositing the padding in a ditch. The padding machine includes a material collection assembly for collecting excavated material, an escalator assembly for lifting the excavated material, a separator for separating the padding from the residue, a conveyor assembly for conveying the padding to the ditch, a transport assembly for moving the padding machine and a wireless telemetry receiver for controlling functions of the padding machine. The wireless receiver, coupled with a wireless transmitter, enable the padding machine to be controlled by a single operator who can view the padding machine from various vantage points.

The wireless telemetry receiver may be capable of receiving radio frequency signals, or other types of wireless signals. Signals received by the wireless telemetry receiver may be capable of controlling functions of all, or at least one, of the material collection assembly, escalator assembly, separator, conveyor assembly, and transport assembly.

The separator may include a screen belt and at least one drive chain attached to the screen belt. The drive chain may be directly driven by a motor and sprocket. At least two drive chains may be attached to the screen belt on opposite sides of the screen belt.

At least one water dispensing nozzle may be included for spraying water on the residue. This minimizes the generation of dust in the padding process.

A conveyor belt collects the padding which falls through the separator. The conveyor belt may be driven by friction between the conveyor belt and the screen belt of the separator.

These and other features, advantages, benefits and objects of the present invention will become apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art upon careful consideration of the detailed description of representative embodiments of the invention hereinbelow and the accompanying drawings, in which similar elements are indicated in the various figures using the same reference numbers.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an isometric view of a pipeline padding machine embodying principles of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a side view of the padding machine;

FIG. 3 is a side view of the padding machine, with a central portion of the padding machine being shown in cutaway view; and

FIG. 4 is an enlarged scale plan view of a screen belt used in a separator of the padding machine.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

It is to be understood that the various embodiments of the present invention described herein may be utilized in various orientations and configurations, without departing from the principles of the present invention. The embodiments are described merely as examples of useful applications of the principles of the invention, which is not limited to any specific details of these embodiments.

Representatively illustrated in FIG. 1 is a pipeline padding machine 10 which embodies principles of the present invention. The machine 10 includes a material collection assembly 12 for gathering material 46 alongside a ditch 42 in which pipe 50 is laid.

The material 46 is typically the same material which was previously excavated to form the ditch 42. However, this is not necessary. For example, the material 46 could be transported from another location, and/or the machine 10 may be used to collect previously undisturbed material from a ground surface as described more fully below.

The machine 10 includes a material escalator assembly 14 for elevating the material 46 from the material collection assembly 12. The escalator assembly 14 includes a separator 16 with a screen belt 28 which separates the material 46 into a relatively fine padding 48 and a relatively coarse residue 44.

The padding 48 is deposited onto a conveyor assembly 18 which transports the padding laterally to the ditch 42. The padding 48 is deposited from the conveyor assembly 18 into the ditch 42.

A transport assembly 20 is used to transport the machine 10 along the side of the ditch 42. A main frame 22 is attached to the transport assembly 20 for supporting the collection, escalator, separator and conveyor assemblies 12, 14, 16, 18.

The collection assembly 12 includes a cutting edge 24 for cutting through the material 46 piled alongside and generally parallel to the ditch 42, and side walls 26 which are shaped to funnel the material toward a lower end of the escalator assembly 14. The cutting edge 24 is pivotable relative to the escalator assembly 14, and the side walls 26 may be vertically adjustable relative to the cutting edge 24.

The escalator assembly 14 includes the separator 16 with the screen belt 28 and multiple ledges 30 attached to the screen belt for lifting the material 46. The escalator assembly 14 is pivotable relative to the main frame 22 about pivots 100 (not visible in FIG. 1, see FIG. 2) to thereby vertically adjust the lower end of the escalator assembly. Preferably, the lower end of the escalator assembly 14 is vertically adjustable from about one foot downward to about four feet upward relative to ground level to compensate for various terrain slopes and material collection requirements.

The separator 16 includes the screen belt 28 which is inclined upward toward the rear of the machine 10. The screen belt 28 has openings sized to permit the relatively fine padding material 48 to pass downward therethrough, while the relatively coarse residue 44 travels across the top of the screen belt and eventually falls off of the separator 16 onto the ground alongside the ditch 42.

A shaker 34 (not visible in FIG. 3, see FIG. 4) vibrates the screen belt 28 to facilitate separation of the padding 48 from the residue 44. Note that the screen belt 28 has a much larger area as compared to conventional padding machines, thereby providing for more efficient separation of the padding 48 from the residue 44.

The conveyor assembly 18 includes a conveyor belt 36 and rollers 38 (not visible in FIG. 1, see FIG. 3) mounted to rails 40. The belt 36 is positioned beneath the screen belt 28 so that the padding material 48 is deposited onto the belt after passing through the screen belt. The belt 36 transports the padding material 48 laterally, and the padding material then drops off of the belt into the ditch 42.

The rails 40 are used to permit the conveyor assembly 18 to be adjusted laterally, for example, to compensate for varying lateral distances between the machine 10 and the ditch 42. The rails 40 also permit the conveyor assembly 18 to be extended outwardly from either lateral side of the machine 10 so that the machine may be used on either lateral side of the ditch 42.

A deflector 56 is attached to the outer end of the conveyor assembly 18. The deflector 56 is used to more accurately position the padding 48 about the pipe 50 as it falls from the belt 36. A hydraulic cylinder 58 or other type of actuator may be used to pivot or otherwise position the deflector 56 relative to the outer end of the belt 36.

The separator and conveyor assemblies 16, 18, along with the escalator assembly 14, are mounted on a frame 52 which is pivotably mounted to the main frame 22 at the pivots 100. Hydraulic cylinders 54 are used to pivot the frame 52 relative to the main frame 22, but other types of actuators may be used if desired.

Thus, the separator and conveyor assemblies 16, 18 are pivotable relative to the main frame 22 to thereby allow the belt 36 to remain generally horizontal and allow the screen belt 28 to remain at a desired inclination even though the machine 10 may traverse terrain having varying slopes. That is, although the machine 10 may travel uphill or downhill at varying inclines, the belt 36 can be maintained generally horizontal and the screen belt 28 can be maintained at a desired inclination by pivoting the frame 52 as needed relative to the main frame 22.

It will be appreciated that many functions need to be controlled in operation of the machine 10. Among these are: speed and direction of transport of the machine 10 by the transport assembly 20, position of the cutting edge 24, speed and direction of travel of the screen belt 28, pivoting of the frame 52 relative to the main frame 22, operation of the shaker 34, lateral position of the conveyor assembly 18, position of the deflector 56, etc. Various control devices (such as switches, control valves, etc. of the type known to those skilled in the art) are used to control these functions and are located primarily at a control panel 32.

In the embodiment of the machine 10 as depicted in FIG. 1, the control of these functions is also accessible remotely via wireless telemetry. Thus, the control panel 32 has a wireless receiver 60 connected thereto, for example, for receiving radio frequency signals from a wireless transmitter 62 (see FIG. 2). Other types of wireless telemetry (such as infrared, etc.) may be used in keeping with the principles of the invention.

The wireless telemetry control of the functions of the padding machine 10 permits an operator 64 to control the machine from any vantage point, on either side of the machine or the ditch 42, and from the front or back of the machine. In particular, the wireless telemetry control allows the single operator 64 to view the material collection assembly 12 from the front of the machine 10, while simultaneously viewing the conveyor assembly 18 and the escalator assembly 14. Thus, only a single operator is needed to control the machine 10, instead of two operators (one to operate the controls, and another to view the machine from various vantage points) as with prior padding machines.

Signals received by the wireless telemetry receiver 60 may be capable of controlling functions of all, or at least one, of the material collection assembly 12, escalator assembly 14, separator 16, conveyor assembly 18, and transport assembly 20.

In FIG. 2, a side view of the machine 10 is representatively illustrated. In this view it may be seen that the machine 10 includes a diesel engine and hydraulic pump system 66 mounted to the main frame 22, and a water tank 68, fuel tank 70 and a hydraulic system fan and radiator 72 mounted to the pivoting frame 52. In this view it may also be seen that the cutting edge 24 can extend below undisturbed ground level 74 to collect previously unexcavated material, if needed.

Referring additionally now to FIG. 3, a cutaway view of the machine 10 is representatively illustrated, it which it may be seen that the separator 16 includes the screen belt 28 with a drive chain 76 attached on either lateral side of the screen belt. The chains 76 are driven by a hydraulic motor 78 and sprocket 80 at an upper end of the escalator assembly 14. This direct and positive sprocket 80 and chain 76 drive for the screen belt 28 provides enhanced lifting of the material 46 in the escalator assembly 14, as compared to prior friction drives in padding machines.

The screen belt 28 passes over additional rollers 82, 84, 86. The roller 86 is positioned at a lower end of the escalator assembly 14 and includes sprockets which engage the chains 76 and aid in aligning the screen belt 28 in the escalator assembly.

The conveyor assembly 18 is positioned within the screen belt 28. As the material 46 is lifted upward by the escalator assembly 14, the padding 48 falls through the screen belt 28 and onto the conveyor assembly 18 for lateral transport to the ditch 42. A deflector 88 aids in directing the padding 48 to fall toward the conveyor assembly 18 from the separator 16.

In addition, a separate conveyor assembly 90 is positioned within the screen belt 28. This conveyor assembly 90 displaces in a direction perpendicular to the conveyor assembly 18, but in the same direction as the escalator assembly 14 and screen belt 28.

The conveyor assembly 90 includes a conveyor belt 92 and a roller 94. The conveyor belt 92 is positioned between the screen belt 28 and the roller 86 at the lower end of the escalator assembly 14, and so the conveyor belt 92 is preferably driven by the resulting friction as the screen belt passes over the conveyor belt and roller.

The conveyor belt 92 is used to collect the padding 48 which falls through the screen belt 28, and which does not fall directly onto the deflector 88 and conveyor assembly 18. The conveyor belt 92 receives the padding 48 which falls through the screen belt 28, elevates the padding somewhat, and deposits the padding onto the conveyor belt 36 for lateral transport to the ditch 42.

The residue 44 which does not fall through the screen belt 28 instead falls off a rear end of the escalator assembly 14. A deflector 96 prevents the residue 44 from directly impacting the diesel engine and pump system 66.

Water dispensing nozzles 98 spray a water mist on the residue 44 as it falls off the rear end of the escalator assembly 14, in order to minimize any dust created in this process. The water tank 68 stores the water for this purpose.

Referring additionally now to FIG. 4, an enlarged scale plan view of the screen belt 28 and attached drive chains 76 is representatively and schematically illustrated. In this view it may be more clearly seen how the drive chains 76 are attached to the screen belt 28, so that the screen belt is positively driven by the motor 78 and associated sprocket 80. However, other types of positively driven screen belts may be used in keeping with the principles of the invention.

Of course, a person skilled in the art would, upon a careful consideration of the above description of representative embodiments of the invention, readily appreciate that many modifications, additions, substitutions, deletions, and other changes may be made to these specific embodiments, and such changes are within the scope of the principles of the present invention. Accordingly, the foregoing detailed description is to be clearly understood as being given by way of illustration and example only, the spirit and scope of the present invention being limited solely by the appended claims and their equivalents. 

1. A padding machine for separating padding from residue and depositing the padding in a ditch, the padding machine comprising: a material collection assembly for collecting excavated material; an escalator assembly for lifting the excavated material; a separator for separating the padding from the residue; a conveyor assembly for conveying the padding to the ditch; a transport assembly for transporting the padding machine; and a wireless telemetry receiver for controlling functions of the padding machine.
 2. The padding machine of claim 1, wherein the wireless telemetry receiver is capable of receiving signals from a wireless telemetry transmitter.
 3. The padding machine of claim 1, wherein the wireless telemetry receiver is capable of receiving radio frequency signals.
 4. The padding machine of claim 1, wherein signals received by the wireless telemetry receiver are capable of controlling functions of each of the material collection assembly, escalator assembly, separator, conveyor assembly, and transport assembly.
 5. The padding machine of claim 1, wherein signals received by the wireless telemetry receiver are capable of controlling functions of at least one of the material collection assembly, escalator assembly, separator, conveyor assembly, and transport assembly.
 6. The padding machine of claim 1, wherein the separator includes a screen belt and at least one drive chain attached to the screen belt.
 7. The padding machine of claim 6, wherein the drive chain is directly driven by a motor and sprocket.
 8. The padding machine of claim 1, wherein the separator includes a screen belt and at least two drive chains attached to the screen belt on opposite sides of the screen belt.
 9. The padding machine of claim 1, further comprising at least one water dispensing nozzle for spraying water on the residue.
 10. The padding machine of claim 1, further comprising a conveyor belt for collecting the padding which falls through the separator, the conveyor belt being driven by friction between the conveyor belt and a screen belt of the separator.
 11. A padding machine for separating padding from residue and depositing the padding in a ditch, the padding machine comprising: a material collection assembly for collecting excavated material; an escalator assembly for lifting the excavated material; a separator for separating the padding from the residue, the separator including a screen belt and at least one drive chain attached to the screen belt; a conveyor assembly for conveying the padding to the ditch; and a transport assembly for moving the padding machine.
 12. The padding machine of claim 11, wherein the drive chain is directly driven by a motor and sprocket.
 13. The padding machine of claim 11, wherein the separator includes at least two drive chains attached to the screen belt on opposite sides of the screen belt.
 14. The padding machine of claim 11, further comprising at least one water dispensing nozzle for spraying water on the residue.
 15. The padding machine of claim 11, further comprising a conveyor belt for collecting the padding which falls through the separator, the conveyor belt being driven by friction between the conveyor belt and the screen belt.
 16. The padding machine of claim 11, further comprising a wireless telemetry receiver for controlling functions of the padding machine.
 17. The padding machine of claim 16, wherein the wireless telemetry receiver is capable of receiving signals from a wireless telemetry transmitter.
 18. The padding machine of claim 16, wherein the wireless telemetry receiver is capable of receiving radio frequency signals.
 19. The padding machine of claim 16, wherein signals received by the wireless telemetry receiver are capable of controlling functions of each of the material collection assembly, escalator assembly, separator, conveyor assembly, and transport assembly.
 20. The padding machine of claim 16, wherein signals received by the wireless telemetry receiver are capable of controlling functions of at least one of the material collection assembly, escalator assembly, separator, conveyor assembly, and transport assembly. 